MBA Degree Program Offered in Camdenton

William Woods University is offering Camdenton area residents the opportunity to pursue a master of business administration (MBA) degree without quitting work.

The program will begin with an orientation on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Missouri Career Center, 106 West Hwy 54, Camdenton.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the university’s Graduate & Adult Studies program prior to then, but walk-ins will be accepted. Call 1-800-995-3199 or contact WWU by e-mail at AdultEd@WilliamWoods.edu.

These programs make it possible for people with full-time jobs to complete a baccalaureate or a graduate degree while remaining employed. The programs are designed to prepare students for career advancement and to enhance their marketability in the job market.

Kristen J. Fritschie of Mexico, Mo., completed her MBA in Columbia.

“WWU is the only program that works for the working adult. Whether you are working full time, have a family or just a hectic life, William Woods University ensures that you have a work-life balance while giving you a fabulous education,” she said.

The MBA program is a 36-credit-hour program, designed to further prepare the working professional for a career in general management. Classroom activities of the entire curriculum are designed to provide the proper blend of theory and practice, thereby making for a true applications-oriented program. What is learned in class one evening may literally be applied to the real workforce the next day.

Employing a model of accelerated learning developed especially for the convenience of the working adult, these educational programs are structured so that a degree can be completed in as few as 18 months.

William Woods offers degree programs that utilize a cohort model, emphasizing learning through student-directed study groups of three to five students.

Fritschie had high praise for the cohorts. “They provide and teach teamwork and accountability,” she said.

“Cohort” describes a group of people who collaborate to reach a common goal. WWU’s program utilizes the diversity of the individual members to broaden the learning experience of the class as a whole as they work together. The school recognizes that learning can and does take place outside of the classroom and that theoretical knowledge is only useful if applied to real-life on-the-job situations.

Classes meet once a week in the evening for four hours. Study groups can meet once more to prepare projects and assignments before the upcoming week.

“With the teamwork approach of using study groups and projects within the cohort model, students can draw on a greater pool of ideas, and they have the opportunity to learn quickly that the effectiveness of one person can be greatly enhanced by utilizing the other members of the group,” said Sherry McCarthy, vice president and academic dean.

Because of the nature of programming—focusing effort on one course at a time—90 percent of all students finish their program successfully. Each course normally runs five to 10 weeks in length.

“William Woods University is a leader when it comes to designing quality programs for nontraditional adult students. Everything we do here at WWU in our Graduate & Adult Studies program is specifically designed to help adults succeed in reaching their goals as efficiently as possible,” said McCarthy.

In addition to the MBA, William Woods offers several other Graduate & Adult Studies programs, including the ACCESS program of general education, an associate of arts degree in liberal studies, a B.S. in management (BSM), a BSM with human resources emphasis and a B.S. in paralegal studies.

Graduate programs include MBAs with accounting, agribusiness, health management or human resources emphasis, a master of education (M.Ed.) in administration, curriculum/instruction or athletics/activities administration and a specialist of education (Ed.S.) in school administration or curriculum leadership.

William Woods can tailor any of its programs for a particular business or community. More information is available on the William Woods website at TheWoods.edu/evening.

Author:Mary Ann Beahon

Mary Ann Beahon brings more than 45 years of public relations experience to the job, primarily in higher education. She served as the director of University Relations for 18 years before entering semi-retirement in August 2016.
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